Question:
COLOR=DarkOrchid]We called the locum at 2am last night when I observed that Declan had a barking like cough and rapid laboured breathing. Told the doc what was going on, doc checked him over and he has croup, and other than that he is his usualy happy self, but he wasn't happy last night, so it must be the panadol working. His symtoms were text book, as I have just found out by doing a search on croup.[/color]
[/COLOR=Blue]The term croup does not refer to a single illness, but rather a group of conditions involving inflammation of the upper airway that leads to a cough that sounds like a bark, particularly when a child is crying.
Most croup is caused by viruses, but similar symptoms may occasionally be caused by bacteria or an allergic reaction. The viruses most commonly involved are parainfluenza virus (accounting for most cases), adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and measles.
Most children with viral croup are between the ages of 3 months and 5 years old. Croup is most likely to occur during the winter months and early spring, and symptoms are most severe in children younger than 3 years of age.
Most croup due to viruses is mild and can be treated at home, though rarely viral croup can be severe and even life-threatening. Some children are more prone to developing croup, especially those who were born prematurely or with narrowed upper airways.
The term spasmodic croup refers to a condition similar to viral croup, except that there are no accompanying symptoms of an infection. The cough frequently begins at night with a sudden onset. The child usually has no fever with spasmodic croup. The symptoms are treated the same for either form of croup.
Signs and Symptoms
Croup is characterized by a loud cough that may sound like the barking of a seal and may be accompanied by fast or difficult breathing and sometimes a grunting noise or wheezing while breathing.
At first, a child may have cold symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose for a few days and may also have fever. As the upper airway (the lining of the windpipe and the voice box) becomes progressively inflamed and swollen, the child may become hoarse, with a harsh, barking cough.
If the upper airway becomes swollen to the point where it is partially blocked off, it becomes even more difficult for a child to breathe. This happens with severe croup. With severe croup, there may be a high-pitched or squeaking noise when breathing in (this is called stridor). A child will tend to breathe very fast, and the stomach or the skin between the child's ribs may seem to pull in during breathing. The child may also appear pale or bluish around the mouth because he is not getting enough oxygen.
Symptoms of croup often worsen at night and when the child is upset or crying. In addition to the effects on the upper airway, the infections that cause croup can result in inflammation further down the airway, including the bronchi (breathing tubes) and the lungs.
Contagiousness
Croup tends to occur in outbreaks in the winter and early spring when the viruses that usually cause it peak. Many children who come in contact with the viruses that cause croup will not get croup, but will instead have symptoms of a head cold.
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Aww that's not good, poor little thing.
Hope he gets better fast Josie.
Croup is awfull for little kids what did the Dr prescibe for him Josie?
my DD son used to get it a couple of times a year untill about 6 months ago he has been free of it now for the 6 months, he started school this year so hope it's left him now but i know i would feel so sorry for him with that dreadfull cough it seemed to really hurt his chest
The doc told me to avoid giving him dairy, but to give him water. He can have panadol for the fever. He said that a temp of 38 is a perfectt temp for fighting infection, but if it goes over 38, Panadol is the go!
Oh poor little Declan. Hope he gets over it soon!
He seems alright atm, will have to see what the night brings.
Sending healthy (and sleepy im sure you all need it) vibes!
Hope he is feeling better soon for you
Hope he feels better soon
Sending healthy (and sleepy im sure you all need it) vibes!
Thank you so much for the sleepy vibes. I have already had not one but 2 nanna naps today and still feel like a zombie
[/COLOR=Blue]The term croup does not refer to a single illness, but rather a group of conditions involving inflammation of the upper airway that leads to a cough that sounds like a bark, particularly when a child is crying.
Most croup is caused by viruses, but similar symptoms may occasionally be caused by bacteria or an allergic reaction. The viruses most commonly involved are parainfluenza virus (accounting for most cases), adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and measles.
Most children with viral croup are between the ages of 3 months and 5 years old. Croup is most likely to occur during the winter months and early spring, and symptoms are most severe in children younger than 3 years of age.
Most croup due to viruses is mild and can be treated at home, though rarely viral croup can be severe and even life-threatening. Some children are more prone to developing croup, especially those who were born prematurely or with narrowed upper airways.
The term spasmodic croup refers to a condition similar to viral croup, except that there are no accompanying symptoms of an infection. The cough frequently begins at night with a sudden onset. The child usually has no fever with spasmodic croup. The symptoms are treated the same for either form of croup.
Signs and Symptoms
Croup is characterized by a loud cough that may sound like the barking of a seal and may be accompanied by fast or difficult breathing and sometimes a grunting noise or wheezing while breathing.
At first, a child may have cold symptoms like a stuffy or runny nose for a few days and may also have fever. As the upper airway (the lining of the windpipe and the voice box) becomes progressively inflamed and swollen, the child may become hoarse, with a harsh, barking cough.
If the upper airway becomes swollen to the point where it is partially blocked off, it becomes even more difficult for a child to breathe. This happens with severe croup. With severe croup, there may be a high-pitched or squeaking noise when breathing in (this is called stridor). A child will tend to breathe very fast, and the stomach or the skin between the child's ribs may seem to pull in during breathing. The child may also appear pale or bluish around the mouth because he is not getting enough oxygen.
Symptoms of croup often worsen at night and when the child is upset or crying. In addition to the effects on the upper airway, the infections that cause croup can result in inflammation further down the airway, including the bronchi (breathing tubes) and the lungs.
Contagiousness
Croup tends to occur in outbreaks in the winter and early spring when the viruses that usually cause it peak. Many children who come in contact with the viruses that cause croup will not get croup, but will instead have symptoms of a head cold.
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Answer:
Aww that's not good, poor little thing.
Hope he gets better fast Josie.
Answer:
Croup is awfull for little kids what did the Dr prescibe for him Josie?
my DD son used to get it a couple of times a year untill about 6 months ago he has been free of it now for the 6 months, he started school this year so hope it's left him now but i know i would feel so sorry for him with that dreadfull cough it seemed to really hurt his chest
Answer:
The doc told me to avoid giving him dairy, but to give him water. He can have panadol for the fever. He said that a temp of 38 is a perfectt temp for fighting infection, but if it goes over 38, Panadol is the go!
Answer:
Oh poor little Declan. Hope he gets over it soon!
Answer:
He seems alright atm, will have to see what the night brings.
Answer:
Sending healthy (and sleepy im sure you all need it) vibes!
Answer:
Hope he is feeling better soon for you
Answer:
Hope he feels better soon
Answer:
Sending healthy (and sleepy im sure you all need it) vibes!
Thank you so much for the sleepy vibes. I have already had not one but 2 nanna naps today and still feel like a zombie